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Coveney: London's bid to override NI protocol brings British-Irish relations to new low

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald criticised Brandon Lewis, saying he was ‘talking through his hat’.

LAST UPDATE | 12 Jun 2022

BRITISH-IRISH RELATIONS have sunk to a “new low” as a result of Westminster’s pushing ahead with legislation to override the Northern Ireland Protocol, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said.

The bill, which will unilaterally change some aspects of the UK’s Brexit Agreement is set to be published by UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tomorrow.

Coveney told RTÉ News today:

The UK has been in many ways the standard bearer for international law and the protection of international law for many, many years. this is damaging that reputation in a very fundamental way, but it’s also a new low in terms of the relationship between Britain and Ireland, which is something that many of us have worked so hard to protect and enhance in recent years

The protocol itself ensures that there is no hard border on the island of Ireland by Northern Ireland effectively remaining in the EU’s single market for goods. This has created checks on trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Speaking on Sky News this morning, Westminster’s Northern Ireland Secretary Lewis said that the bill would not breach international law.

“First of all, the legislation we’ll outline tomorrow is within the law. What we’re going to do is lawful and it is correct,” said Lewis.

When pressed on how people could be sure it wouldn’t break the law and whether or not the UK Government would be publishing the legal advice behind the legislation, Lewis said that people will see that they are acting within the law when the legislation itself is published.

On the same programme, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald criticised both Lewis and the UK Government’s plan to override the Protocol unilaterally, saying that the UK is not engaging with the EU to solve issues caused by the protocol.

“Brandon Lewis is talking through his hat and not for the first time,” said McDonald.

Brandon Lewis should know, the Tory government should know that where there are issues to be resolved with the protocol, issues of smoothing out its application, there are mechanisms through which that can happen.

“There is a willingness to engage by the European Commission that the British government has refused to engage, has not been constructive, has sought a destructive path and is now proposing to introduce legislation that will undoubtedly breach international law.”

McDonald added that the proposed override of the Protocol would go against the wishes of people in Northern Ireland, where a majority of MLA’s are pro-Protocol.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said the British government are fooling nobody with their claims around legislation on the protocol.

He said: “When I challenged Boris Johnson to commit to upholding international law in the House of Commons this week he was unable to give me a straight answer. We know that his own advisers believe the Protocol legislation will breach the agreement with the EU and the attempt by Brandon Lewis to suggest otherwise is fooling nobody.

“Johnson and his government have proved time and time again that they will say and do anything that furthers their own self-interest. They have a casual relationship with the truth and have shown they are willing to totally disregard the law and the feelings of the people they represent as and when it suits them. They have no regard for people in the North or the serious harm this and their move on legacy will have on people here.

However, Lewis previously pointed to a majority of Unionist MLA’s being against the Protocol, including both DUP and UUP MLAs.

When asked if the DUP had given a guarantee to re-enter power sharing when the bill was published, Lewis said that one had not been given.

“No, that’s a matter for the DUP. I would expect to see the DUP, when they see us resolving the issues of the protocol, following what they said was their position, which is as they see the protocol issues being resolved that they would restore the institutions.”

Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the UK’s plans to unilaterally override the protocol would be “deeply damaging” and that it would mark a “historic low point”.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Jun 12th 2022, 9:55 AM

    Whatever these eejits in the tory government say, its always the opposite

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    Mute Joe Johnson
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    Jun 12th 2022, 12:28 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: The are going against the majority of elected MLA’s in the Storment and against the majority of people in NI.

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    Mute Noshah Monk
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    Jun 12th 2022, 1:56 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: soon we will find out how it’s effective.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Jun 12th 2022, 8:29 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: and only to keep the dinosaurs happy. Wtf have the unionists got on bj.

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    Mute Celeste Ní Raois
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:11 AM

    Well if the legislation to override the protocol is supposed to be “lawful” then why wasn’t it negotiated/implemented sooner?? Think someone’s telling porkies again.

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    Mute Brendan McCarron
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    Jun 12th 2022, 2:45 PM

    @Celeste Ní Raois: Tory lips are moving, so yes.

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    Mute Nomis Andrews
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:13 AM

    The Tories did not instigate the GFA. It was the British Labour party. So they have no interest in preserving it. They support the unionists. It is a shame British Labour had such weak leaders the last few years, none of whom campaigned against Brexit when they needed to.

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    Mute Noel Lynn
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:22 AM

    @Nomis Andrews:Current Labour Leader is an imperialist and wants to retain NI in the “Union” so not going to be a big help in resolving this farse either

    115
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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:27 AM

    @Noel Lynn: Sure why would they want to give up the North. According to some on here this little island is one of the most strategic locations on the planet and everyone wants to take control of it. So why would the British give it’s part of it.

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    Mute v39e84kK
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    Jun 12th 2022, 5:35 PM

    @Noel Lynn: That’s literally what unionist means. All the unionists want to stay in the UK.

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    Mute Heisen berg1
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:39 AM

    The DUP Will never get onboard! Playing second fiddle to the Shinners, it goes against there nature, all the orange men going back 300 years would turn in there graves. Its a pity because working together could make northern Ireland a good place to live.

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    Mute James Kelly
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    Jun 13th 2022, 2:36 AM

    @Heisen berg1: ‘their nature’ not ‘there nature’

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    Mute Joan Grennan
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    Jun 12th 2022, 1:13 PM

    Brexit ,the disaster that keeps on giving .Brexit is a perfect illustration of the old adage , fail to plan and plan to fail .Britain blundered into Brexit and the downside of it was never really articulated at all at the time .The fallout is proving to be a pain in the ‘derry air’

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    Mute Ian James Burgess
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    Jun 12th 2022, 2:33 PM

    @Joan Grennan: export trade up 34% in the first quarter in the North so when that stops the UK will be pouring in millions more to prop up their economy.

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    Mute G man
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    Jun 12th 2022, 2:47 PM

    @Joan Grennan: I think it was “fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

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    Mute Steve O'Hara-Smith
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    Jun 12th 2022, 3:24 PM

    @G man: I’ve heard both and they’re both true.

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    Mute Mick McGuinness
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    Jun 12th 2022, 11:28 AM

    Lawful to Boris Johnson who lies true his teeth. Watch everything fall apart as will happen.

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    Mute Sean Collins
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:16 AM

    And are they taking there legal advice for brexit loving UK lawyers which seems likely but should be taking there legal advice from International lawyers

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    Mute James Kelly
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    Jun 13th 2022, 2:37 AM

    @Sean Collins: ‘their legal advice’ not ‘there legal advice’.

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    Mute Brian Lilly
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    Jun 12th 2022, 11:32 AM

    Brandon “limited and specific” Lewis.

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    Mute Kevin50
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:29 AM

    What court is going to rule on any breaking of law?

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    Mute Eoin Roche
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:56 AM

    @Kevin50: UK Supreme Court, House of Lords

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    Mute Ciaran Burke
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:58 AM

    @Kevin50: Court of session in Scotland too.

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    Mute Fergal McDonagh
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    Jun 12th 2022, 2:33 PM

    Brandon ‘say whatever bs that pops into my head’ Lewis.

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    Mute v39e84kK
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    Jun 12th 2022, 7:50 PM

    A new low? Uh…the famine?

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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Jun 12th 2022, 8:04 PM

    @v39e84kK: That’s exactly what crossed my mind last week when I heard that term, plenty of lower lows.

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    Mute Niall O'Reilly
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    Jun 12th 2022, 2:24 PM

    What would you expect of a rogue character from a rogue government?

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    Mute Breda Appleby
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    Jun 12th 2022, 6:27 PM

    For the first time in my life I can safely say I couldnt care less about what they do.

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    Mute Steve O'Hara-Smith
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    Jun 12th 2022, 3:27 PM

    Well of course he does, saying anything else would put an ex- in front of his title.
    It might even be true, if it gets watered down enough which might be BJ’s survival strategy.

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    Mute Nollaig Kelly
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    Jun 12th 2022, 4:19 PM

    Tory party speak with forked tongue

    26
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    Mute Michael Nolan
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    Jun 12th 2022, 10:08 PM

    In eighth hundred years a relationship id say it’s prob been the best it’s been not been funny .. they’ve been a right shower of fecks ….coveny would want to start reading a couple of history books

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    Mute Virgil
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    Jun 12th 2022, 6:53 PM

    And Wales will be looking for their independence after doing well in the World Cup. Interesting times

    13
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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Jun 12th 2022, 7:12 PM

    @Virgil: Unlikely as it voted for Brexit along with England, the new country will be called Wangland! Imagine not only Scotland leaving the union but also joining the EU!

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    Mute bfreesun
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    Jun 13th 2022, 7:43 AM

    Interesting that UVF connected Irvine couldn’t attend hid conferring ceremony of a Masters in Peace Studies in Maynooth University because he was appearing in court on weapons charges in the North and was refused bail

    12
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    Mute Kate Peters
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    Jun 12th 2022, 5:21 PM

    I think it’s time this was sorted once and for all,it’d not fair on the people,There is a cost of living Crisis,health,housing,every part of the North is in crisis,it’s same in other Countries.its time to do right by the the business’s section,the owners and staff don’t know where they stand,if it’s going to be a hard border or soft border,or both come too an agreement,what ever the outcome is,the people and the business’s will know..and take that stress off them.

    9
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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Jun 12th 2022, 6:09 PM

    @Kate Peters: Feeding into this, and accelerating a united Ireland, in the background is the call for Scottish independence (now that would be a major headache for England!).

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    Mute bfreesun
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    Jun 13th 2022, 7:39 AM

    @Kate Peters: Northern Ireland has the highest growth rate of any region in the UK outside of London. Most business in the North supports the deal. The DUPed have always opposed the GFA but the North voted to stay in the EU.
    The DUPed are afraid of increased trade links with the south as the inevitable logic of all Ireland trade becomes obvious

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    Mute Liam MacSuibhne
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    Jun 13th 2022, 8:46 AM

    @Kate Peters: I can assure you of one thing, whatever else that happens – there will be NO hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. If the UK even attempt to push it that way, the UK economy will be vaporised with sanctions internationally.
    Perfidious Albion, time for the UK to grow up and modernise its sh*t show of a backward country.

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    Mute Caoimhín Ó Seanáin
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    Jun 12th 2022, 6:48 PM

    Kate Peters: excellent contribution.

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    Mute bfreesun
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    Jun 13th 2022, 7:33 AM

    Perfidious Albion in the shape of Johnson . The French have offered to allow processing of asylum seekers on French soil but have been ignored just as the EU and the US have been ignored all to keep BJ in office but no longer in power.

    7
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    Mute Niall Lee
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    Jun 12th 2022, 6:30 PM

    Tell them to mind there own business

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    Mute James Kelly
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    Jun 13th 2022, 2:39 AM

    @Niall Lee: ‘their own business’ not there own business’.

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